UTILIZATION OF THE SKINS OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



289 



New York Cit}^ is the great fur center in this country, not only for 

 accumulating the raw goods but for dressing, dyeing, and manufac- 

 turing as well. Indeed, New York leads the world as a consumer of 

 furs, the sales to individuals there exceeding that of any other city in 

 the world. Many firms long established, with large capital and of 

 international reputation, carry on the business. At present there are 

 93 fur houses in New York, man\^ of which have branch establish- 

 ments and resident partners in London, Paris, Leipsic, Shanghai, etc. 

 In view of the fact that a very large percentage of the furs of the 

 world originate on the North American continent, and that the rank 

 of the United States as a fur-consuming country is constantly increas- 

 ing, it seems not improbable that the enterprise of New York may 

 result in that city securing a large portion of the wholesale trade 

 which now centers in London. 



In addition to these large centers, the work of fur distribution is 

 carried on bj^ traders and merchants in almost every section of the 

 world, scarcely any large town being without its quota of fur stores 

 of greater or less importance, according to the climate and the wealth 

 of the inhabitants. 



In the markets, the skins of each variety are graded according to 

 their size and the condition of the fur, the number of grades or classes 

 depending on the importance of the particular variety, the cheaper 

 peltries requiring fewer grades than those of greater value. For the 

 purpose of showing the comparative value of the different aquatic 

 furs, the following summaiy is presented, indicating for dressed prime 

 skins of each variety the average area in square inches, the average 

 value in the wholesale markets of the United States in 1901, and the 

 resulting value per square foot of area.*^ 



Comparative statement of the acerage area, value, and value per square foot of tJic d{ferent 

 aquatic furs in the United States markets in 1901, 



a It will be observed in comparing this summary with the tables on pages 285 and 287 that the 

 average areas and values used here are in excess of those in the tables. The explanation of this 

 seeming discrepancy is that the figures in those tables refer to all classes of skins in a raw state, 

 including the smallest and cheapest, whereas the present figures are for dressed skins and only those 

 of prime grade. 



F. C. 1902 19 



